Verses 450–459

450. Maya is not in fact the daughter in-law. She is the wife of all men in the world. Behold, she is gold, but such as cannot be plundered (nonsense, useful for words).

451. Brahma became a horse Siva (Bhava) became the saddle; Adi Vishnu became the stirrup. He that mounts on this stud is either female or male. I know not which.

452. The men subject to passions, on one side serpents (passions--indriya), crows on one side, the nine large tomcats (animal senses) on one side; the nine large paths, being restrained, the light (the soul) departed to the external, the tiger (ignorance), the fox (delusion) rose up and gazed; the dog (mind) perished--the men of the woods (apes) cried out, the soul has become Him, Him.

453. Meddle not with the (yoga) eight connections of the body, the six creeds or the three causes (mantra, laya, hatha). By the one remaining means (i.e., pure devotion) thou shalt attain happiness.

454. The spirit that is named without equal, having slain the being that formerly bore his name, and again caused him to return into life, Vemana can render his image (or brother) stable for ever. (Mystic raving)

455. What wonder is it that the tree of wisdom should grow with its root upwards (in heaven) and its point downwards (in earth); over its root is a lustful elephant (the eye) walking. What is the wonder of this? Like a distinguished soldier, an elephant (ignorance) swallow an ant (wisdom), what the secret of a marvellous tree (the Sushumna nādam) that never was born, being produced in the earth, on (the body) a rock and if the chemanti flower (chrysanthemum Indicum) the mudricas be produced, what is the secret of the birth? Behold if the all knowing and learned men speak distinctly, Vema listen to them.

456. In the earth a frog (the mind) seized five serpents (passions) and suddenly swallowed them. What is this? Two men of the woods (apes i.e., wisdom and ignorance) came and by themselves of themselves swallowed their young (their acts i.e., annihilated them), to a fox (delusion) in the Iron age cāmadhenu was born. In what way was this? Possessing intellect there was an infant that chewed; what was this marvel (wisdom absorbing ignorance). In seven modes of existence, (mahattu, ahankara, shabda, sparsha, roopa, rasa, gandham) mercilessly was might (delusion) produced and agitated men. What is this? The all knowing sages that have declared this, listen to them O Vema.

457. What is the mystery of a fly that screamed out and swallowed a bed? How was a mace produced in jasmine blossoms? Amazing, on a (marri)neem tree (ignorance) plantain fruits (wisdom) were produced; how was this? What is that dancing that the flower bodied woman knows. How did the five coloured parrots have power to swallow five mountains. Thus have the wise of old taught, listen O Vema.

458. He who comprehends the preceding three verses and can explain them truly he shall see Siva. What is there unknown to thee?

459. He who knows one, two, three and four, five, six, seven, eight, nine thus far, to the last what these are, that man is Vemana.